Notice! Actual odds are subject to change and are correct as displayed only at the time of publishing: 11:16 AM 07.09.2018.

Toronto fans, you deserve so much more than this. Rain or shine, the Rogers Centre faithful turn out in their numbers and watch their team lose on a regular basis. The Blue Jays have failed to inspire confidence for most of the 2018 campaign and a comprehensive defeat to the Cleveland Indians in Game One may set the tone for the rest of the weekend.

Their opponents this weekend are currently in a league of their own in the American League Central. 17 wins clear of their closest rivals, Cleveland have already started to prepare for the playoffs. To be completely honest, the Indians’ second string would probably give the Blue Jays a serious examination if manager Terry Francona decided to wring the changes.

Blue Jays Are In Disarray – Wholesale Changes Needed

Rowdy Tellez

Enough is enough: Toronto need to part ways with John Gibbons at the end of 2018. It is getting embarrassing for the Blue Jays; this side was touted as World Series dark horses less than two years ago but they are not even close to competing for baseball’s top prize. Game One showed the gulf in class between Toronto and a top class Major League Baseball outfit.

The Blue Jays have now lost seven of their last eight MLB games and that record is likely to worsen this weekend. There were some positives to take away from Thursday’s 9-4 defeat but supporters won’t be thinking of those at this moment in time. Toronto need an instant response to stand any chance of securing a positive series outcome.

KEY MAN:Rowdy Tellez. Remember the name. Making his first career start, Tellez went 3-for-4 and became the first player since 1920 to have extra-base hits in each of his first three career plate appearances. At just 23 years old, he is one of Toronto’s brightest prospects and he could be the difference maker for the Blue Jays in years to come. On current form, he is the one to watch.

Indians Looking Strong Ahead Of Playoffs

Francisco Lindor

Punters will be tempted by the 10/1 on offer for Cleveland to go on and win the World Series this year – and with good reason. Dominant in the AL Central for the entire year, the Indians were relentless on Thursday evening and another heavy defeat beckons for Toronto in the second game of the series.

Cleveland will take some stopping this weekend and a series whitewash is not beyond the realms of possibility. The Indians are starting to build momentum ahead of what could be a memorable postseason and a 4-0 triumph north of the border will cement their status as one of the American League’s strongest teams. Watch this space, it could get ugly for the Blue Jays.

KEY MAN:Francisco Lindor. Lindor had a huge night on Thursday, notching two home runs as part of a four-hit, four-RBI effort. He stole the show against Toronto’s youngsters and the Rogers Centre crowd will be wary of his big-hitting throughout the weekend. Lindor leads the team in various batting categories so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him run riot again at some point in the coming days.

PREDICTION

The Indians will be looking to keep Toronto at arm’s length and Cleveland may be too strong for the Canadian side. Lindor is a supreme talent with the bat and he could put the Blue Jays to the sword if he is at his brilliant best. For Toronto, this is more about restoring pride than anything else. Even that might be a challenge…